 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Travel
the World... |
Independent advice for |
|
|
|
|
|
traveling the world |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Three Cents: Rhythm International
by Richard Steel
|
|
|
Bright Lights, Small City
We were two of the three white dots in the sea of expressive, black faces at bar called Alabama in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. If you're looking for some authentic afrobeat dancing on a Saturday night, like we were, you'd think this'd be perfect: cool music, a few drinks, dimly lit. But when I stepped through the entrance and and found that though the bar was fairly crowded, it was completely bright. I mean you-could-have-done-surgery-in-that-room kind of bright. Very strange, since we're used to the "ugly lights" in bars only at closing time.
|
|
A few local beers and an energetic band added a distinctly African feel to the floodlit, red-walled interior bar. Mustering up the courage to dance in a foreign country with spotlights practically trained on us was no fun, especially since we didn't recognize the upbeat, organic beats from the band. A compassionate local guy came up and showed us some traditional moves. Soon he had us bent over touching our toes, stomping our feet and alternately bringing one hand to our chest then the other in a gathering motion, just like the rest of the patrons danced. After a few 750ml Castle and Black Label beers the bright lights didn't matter so much, and we were all groovin' to the local sound.
|
|
|
Still Stompin' After All These Years
Outback country is home to Australia's aborigines whose tribal dances reverberate with the energy of the generations who have passed along their sacred dance traditions. On a Contiki tour I was lucky enough to witness a tribal mosh session in which the men adorned themselves in body paint and eucalyptus leaves, spears in hand. They slowly stamped their way around a central pole - about the diameter of a telephone pole but only four feet high. The only accompaniment was a chant and the sound of sticks banged together in unison by a few equally well-painted tribal women. The significance of their dance isn't some meaningless booty shaking. There are thousands of years involved in the history of their motions. Each movement represents a specific aspect of the culture - tracking, hunting, births and deaths. Witnessing the ancient arts of a shrinking culture under the baking sun in Australia's vast red outback was an exhilarating and humbling experience which changed the meaning of the word "dance" for me forever.
|
|
BBC London: Badass British Clubbing
London is simply Europe's dance Mecca. It has remained so over the last 20 years due to late night (early morning) closing times, club licenses that allow the merchants to serve liquor until 6 a.m., and the ever-evolving sounds that permeate into our modern music lexicon from the garage deejays of the world. Cover charges include club fees (legally you have to be a "member" to take advantage of the late night venue) and can be anywhere from £5 to £ 25. Some places have a spruker (that studio 54 guy who picks the people who get in) so the funkier you look the better.
|
|
Once inside, be warned - drinks can be expensive for the 18 and over crowd (£5 to £ 15.) The liberal vibe means the usual club drugs are making the dance floor rounds. Being busted by London cops will definitely ruin your night, but barring any violations, you can expect to enjoy electronic music at its best: alternative, chillout, garage, gay, house, indie, mainstream, metal, reggae, retro, ska, soul, funk, techno, trancehouse, fusion, and hip-hop. For the latest and coolest club venues in London check out: www.londonnet.co.uk
|
|
|
|
